History III

Grades 7/8

Late Renaissance to Early Modern History

This course will focus on the late Renaissance/Early Modern period (from about A.D. 1600-1850) and will draw from both Year 2 and Year 3 of the T.O.G. curriculum. Using again, a few “spine” books and encyclopedias, as many good primary sources as possible from the era, as well as lots of narrative, historical fiction and non-fiction selections, pupils will delve into the hearts, minds and lives of prominent men and women, become familiar with the chronology of major events and progress, and begin to develop a critical and logical approach to history especially in light of God’s teachings in his Word.

The primary texts for this course will be:

  • A History of US, vols. 2-4 by Joy Hakim
  • The Kingfisher Illustrated History of the World (most recent edition, if possible)
  • George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster

Other reading materials will be provided by the teacher or will be obtainable at the local public library.

1st Trimester will cover 1600-1740.  We will use Hakim, vol. 2, Kingfisher pp. 397-489 (selected passages) and GW’s World pp. 28-51.  This is Tapestry of Grace Year 2, Unit 3.  Topics that will be covered include the Mayflower, early American settlements, Peter the Great and his successors, Prussia, the Enlightenment and the Agricultural Revolution. Reading assignments below.

2nd Trimester will cover 1710-1791.  We will use Hakim, vol. 3 and Kingfisher pp. 489-525, and Tapestry of Grace Year 2, Unit 4.  Topic to be covered include the Enlightenment, Native Americans, British in India, French Revolution, British and French in Canada and the American Revolution. Reading assignments TBA.

3rd Trimester will cover 1789-1850.  We will use Hakim, vol. 4 and Kingfisher pp. 525-571, and Tapestry of Grace Year 3, Unit 1.  Topics to be covered include the Napoleonic Wars, the Industrial Revolution, Simon Bolivar, The Alamo, the California Gold Rush, Lewis and Clark, Australia’s beginnings and US expansion and acquisitions.  Reading assignments TBA.

Reading Assignments (Trimester 1)

Week 1 Hakim vol.2, ch. 2-12, as much as you can read in two-three hours, and supplementary materials about Pocahontas.

Week 2 Hakim vol.2, ch. 13-14, and supplementary materials about Virginia.

Week 3 Hakim vol.2, ch 24-26, and supplementary Pilgrim stories.

Week 4 Hakim vol.2, ch. 1, 15, 17-18, 21 and 23.

Week 5 GW’s World, p. 28-48, and Hakim vol.2, ch.28, and supplements.

Week 6 Hakim vol.2, ch. 19-20, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36 and 39.

Week 7 GW’s World, pp. 49-51, and Diary of an Early American Boy.

Week 8 Kingfisher pp. 400-?

Week 9 Kingfisher pp. ?

Week 10 Appropriate book of choice for book report.

Week 11 Exam week- no readings!

Exam on Last Day of Classes.

General Expectations for History Classes

  • Essential equipment: One 1.5-2 inch three-ring binder and ten dividers that will be used to organize your notes, supplementary handouts, quizzes and assignments.  This notebook must be organized and will be graded.
  • Every week there will be a ten-question quiz over the “main and plain” facts from the assigned readings.
  • Every week a reading report will be due which consists of a simple outline of the reading and documentation of the amount of time spent reading.  A form will be provided and the parents will sign it every week.
  • Seventh- and eighth-graders will do approximately two to three hours of reading per week.
  • Every trimester there will be a trimester test.
  • We will have hands-on days and optional field trips.  The hands-on days will be the week of the trimester test, so no reading report will be due during the week of the test.
  • The teacher takes a dim view of students who show up late or unprepared.  If you don’t turn in your reading reports on time, your grade will be reduced by ten percent for every class it is late.
  • I expect you to spend between two and four hours per week on homework, depending on how fast you read, but usually not more than three or occasionally four hours.
  • There will be one or two book reports per trimester.  I will cut back on the weekly reading assignments to give you time to prepare for a book report.
  • This class is going to be an amazing amount of fun!  You will love it, but you will also work very hard.